Baseball in the Pythagorean Universe 1871-Present

Garrett Garlits · Jul 10, 2019

Now it's time for Game 5 of the 1987 American League Championship Series from Exhibition Stadium in Toronto. The date is Monday, October 12:

Lineup Changes:

Royals- Danny Tartabull is back in right field, which moves Bo Jackson to left; Bo will bat sixth. Frank White is back in the lineup as the designated hitter and will bat fifth, Jamie Quirk moves down to seventh, while Bill Pecota and Ross Jones switch positions; Pecota will start at short and bat eighth, while Jones starts at second.

Blue Jays- Rance Mulliniks is back at third base and batting third. Juan Beniquez moves down to fifth. Willie Upshaw is back at first base and batting seventh. Ernie Whitt is back behind the plate and batting eighth, which moves Manuel Lee down to ninth.

Weather: 48 degrees, mostly cloudy skies, north-northwest wind at 12 MPH. Wind chill at first pitch is 36 degrees.

Blue Jays 1st: With one out, Lloyd Moseby stepped to the plate against Royals starter Bret Saberhagen. Here's Bob Costas with the count no balls and one strike:

"There's a definite holiday atmosphere here, as this is Thanksgiving Day in Canada, so we'd like to wish a Happy Thanksgiving to our northern neighbors. They're even selling hot turkey sandwiches here at the ballpark, and they're going over huge with the cold weather. Next pitch to Moseby…….HIT HIGH AND DEEP TO LEFT, GOING BACK IS JACKSON, AT THE WALL, AND THE BLUE JAYS LEAD!......Lloyd Moseby takes Bret Saberhagen deep for his initial home run of the series, and it's 1-0 Jays."

Tony Kubek: "Almost all of the major Toronto hitters have now gone deep at least once, as Moseby saw a hanging curve from Saberhagen and turns on it hard. The cold certainly isn't bothering the Blue Jays when it comes to hitting home runs and generating offense; then again, it's cold here until mid-May or later in most years."

Mulliniks flew to left center, and Bell was out on a comebacker to Saberhagen to retire the side. But Moseby's longball has given the Jays a 1-0 lead after one.

Royals 4th: White led off against Jays starter Jim Clancy. Here's Bob:

"White has been out for the last two games after taking a ball of his wrist during infield practice prior to Game 3. He tried to swing a bat before Game 4, but couldn't, so he got treatment all through the game, and much like George Brett with his hamstring last night, he's been cleared to play. (Royals manager) Dick Howser, though, wanted to save White from the bounces on a nearly-frozen turf here in Toronto, so he's the DH and Ross Jones is at second. First pitch to him is LINED TO CENTER, AND THAT'S GOING OUT IN A HURRY!...…..Moseby just turned and stared at that ball as it soared out of here, and we're even at one."

Kubek: "That wrist sure doesn't seem to be bothering White, as he was able to get a full swing on that ball and hit it so hard that Moseby couldn't even go back on it. White's always had surprising power, and it tends to come out in the biggest games."

Clancy recovered to strike out Jackson, but Quirk lined a base hit up the middle. Pecota grounded a single to right to put runners at first and third, and after Jones struck out Willie Wilson singled to left center to score Quirk and put the Royals up 2-1. Kevin Seitzer forced Willie to end the inning, but the Royals have taken the lead with a pair of runs in the fourth. After three and a half, it's Royals 2, Blue Jays 1.

Blue Jays 4th: With one out, Mulliniks slapped a base hit to right center. George Bell's single to right put two on, and after Beniquez flew to left center for the second out Barield walked to load the bases. Upshaw was next, and his line drive single up the middle brought home Mulliniks and Bell and gave the Jays a 3-2 lead, with Barfield stopping at third. Whitt's fly to right center ended the inning. Upshaw's base hit has given the Jays the lead, but they've also left runners at the corners. We've played four in Game 5, and the Jays now have a 3-2 lead.

Royals 5th: George Brett led off with an infield single to short. Tartabull's base hit to left center moved him to third, and White brought them both home by doubling into the left field corner; the Royals now led 4-3. Bo's line drive was gloved by Nelson Liriano for out number one, and Quirk struck out swinging for out number two. Pecota then lofted a two-strike base hit into right center to score White and make it 5-3. That was all for Clancy; John Cerutti came in and retired Joes on a grounder to third to end the inning. But the Royals have taken the lead with three runs on four hits, and halfway through they lead the Jays 5-3.

Royals 6th: After two out, Brett singled to right, then stole second. After Tartabull walked, White stroked a base hit to left that scored Brett and made it 6-3 Royals. Bo followed with a single to left to drive in Tartabull with run number seven. Cerutti then departed in favor of Mark Eichhorn, who fanned Quirk swinging to retire the side. The Royals have added two runs on three hits while leaving runners at first and second, and after five and a half it's Kansas City 7, Toronto 3.

Blue Jays 7th: With one out, Whitt walked. After Lee fouled out to Brett at first. Nelson Liriano singled o right to put two men on. Moseby then lashed a double into the left center power alley to score both Whitt and Lee and cut the Kansas City lead to 7-5. Saberhagen departed at that point in favor of Jerry Don Gleaton, who got Mulliniks to fly to Wilson in shallow left center to retire the side. The Jays have drawn closer with a pair of runs, but after seven they still trail the Royals 7-5.

That was all the scoring; Steve Farr pitched two scoreless innings to preserve the Royals' 7-5 victory. They now lead the series three games to two.

White was named Player of the Game by NBC. He went three for four with a home run, two runs scored, and four runs batted in. Brett was four for five and scored twice. The Royals totaled eighteen hits on the day.

Final totals: Royals 7-18-0, Blue Jays 5-7-0.

W- Saberhagen (1-0)
S- Farr (1)
L- Clancy (0-2)

HR- KC: White (1)
TOR: Moseby (1)

The series heads back to Kansas City for Game 6 on Wednesday night at Royals Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Mike Flanagan getting the start for the Jays and Charlie Leibrandt taking the mound for the Royals.

Next: We look at Game 6.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 11, 2019

Now it's time for Game 6 of the 1987 American League Championship Series from Royals Stadium in Kansas City. The date is Wednesday, October 14:

Before we go any further, let's run down the umpiring crew:

Home Plate: Mike Reilly
First Base: Jim McKean
Second Base: Drew Coble
Third Base: Durwood Merrill
Left Field: Joe Brinkman
Right Field: Al Clark

Weather: 56 degrees, partly cloudy skies, south-southeast wind at 8 MPH.

Lineup Changes:

Blue Jays- Rick Leach will serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth.

Royals- Frank White's wrist has healed enough so that he can start at second base. Jim Eisenreich will be the designated hitter and bat sixth. Finally, Gary Thurman starts in left and will bat ninth.

Royals 1st: Willie Wilson led off with a line drive single to left. Kevin Seitzer's single up the middle put runners at the corners, and Wilson came home when George Brett grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Danny Tartabull kept the inning going with a double to left. White followed with a double to center to drive Tartabull in, his fifth RBI in the past two games. After Eisenreicch walked, Jamie Quirk grounded a base hit to right to score White and make it 3-0 Royals. Next up was Bill Pecota, whose double off the wall in left scored Eisenreich and Quirk to make it 5-0. Here's Bob Costas' call of Pecota's double:

"Flanagan has to be on the ropes here, as a hit from Pecota may put the game and the pennant out of reach for Toronto. Eisenreich at second, Quirk at first, and two balls and no strikes on Pecota. Flanagan checks the runners, and here's the 2-0...…..line drive to left, going over is Bell, and he'll play it off the wall! Both runners will score easily, and Pecota pulls into second with a double! It's 5-0 Royals, and unaccountably, the Toronto bullpen is just now stirring, as Jeff Musselman gets up."

Despite his bad beginning, Blue Jays manager Jimy Williams decided to stay with veteran starter Mike Flanagan, who promptly gave up his seventh hit of the inning when Thurman beat out a grounder to short for an infield single, whlch moved Pecota to third. The inning finally ended when Wilson, the tenth man to bat in the inning, grounded to second. The total damage: five runs on seven hits and a walk, with runners left at first and third. We've played one in Game 6, and the Royals already lead 5-0.

Blue Jays 5th: Ernie Whitt drew a leadoff walk, but was forced by Manuel Lee. Nelson Liriano's single to left center put two men on, but Lloyd Moseby took a called third strike for out number two. eaving the Rance Mulliniks walked to load the bases, and Bell stroked a base hit to left center to score Lee and Liriano and cut the Royals' lead to 5-2. Leach popped up to Quirk in foul territory to end the inning, but the Jays have cut into the Kansas City lead thanks to Bell's two-run single. Halfway through Game 6, it's Royals 5, Blue Jays 2.

Royals 8th: Tartabull led off with a base hit up the middle against Jays reliever John Cerutti. White then lifted a fly ball to center; Moseby went to make a diving catch, but the ball slid out of his glove just before he hit the ground. Tartabull stopped at third, while White pulled in at second. Cerutti struck Eisenreich out swinging, but Quirk flew to the warning track in left center. Moseby made the catch, but Tartabull jogged home to make it 6-2 Royals while White moved to third. Thurman grounded to second to end the inning, but the Royals have added an insurance run, leaving the Jays with just three outs to come up with four runs. After eight, it's Kansas City 6, Toronto 2.

Here's the call of the final out:

Costas: "One ball and two strikes to Moseby. The World Series will begin Saturday night here at Royals Stadium, pending the last out. Not a save situation for (Dan) Quisenberry, but they want him on the mound to nail this one down for Leibrandt, who's the leading contender for series MVP. Fans on their feet looking for the pennant, and here's the one-two pitch......to center, not deep. Wilson's under it, makes the catch, AND THE ROYALS ARE AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!......For the third time this decade, the Royals are going to the World Series, and for the second time in a row, they've beaten the remnants of the original Blue Jays to get there.

The Upshaws, Clancys, Barfields and the like may have just seen their last, best chance at a pennant go by the boards, but for George Brett, Frank White, and the other Kansas City mainstays, this will be a chance for their second world title in three years after the furustrations against the Yankees in the late seventies and the loss to the Phillies in 1980. It's a fresh opponent this time in the San Francisco Giants, who also won their series in six against the defending world champion New York Mets. We'll never know if things would have been different had Jimy Williams gone to his bullpen to relieve a struggling Flanagan tonight, but you can bet they'll be debating that topic north of the border for years to come.

Once again, our final score: Royals 6, Blue Jays 2, and Charlie Leibrandt has indeed been named series MVP. Tonight, he went eight innings, giving up two runs on five hits while walking five and striking out three to get his second win of the series. Tony Kubek will talk to him and many others from both clubhouses after these messages and a word from your local station."

Final totals: Royals 6-11-0, Blue Jays 2-5-1.

W- Leibrandt (2-0)
L- Flanagan (0-2)

The 1987 World Series will begin on Saturday night here at Royals Stadium. First pitch for Game 1 will be a little after 8PM Eastern, Bud Black will go to the mound for the Royals, while Atlee Hammaker will pitch for the Giants.

Next: We look at Game 1.

Thoughts?

Ganesha · Jul 11, 2019

I'm very impressed with the effort you have put into this TL. It's well thought-out and interesting! Nice work.

Cheers,
Ganesha

Garrett Garlits · Jul 12, 2019

Thanks a lot, Ganesha. There's plenty more coming, so stay tuned!

Garrett Garlits · Jul 12, 2019

Now it's rime for Game 1 of the 1987 World Series from Royals Stadium in Kansas City. The date is Saturday, October 17:

Weather: 41 degrees, fair skies, west wind at 6 MPH. Wind chill at first pitch is 36 degrees.

Giants 1st: With two out, third baseman Kevin Mitchell singled to right center, but left fielder Jeffrey Leonard struck out swinging to end the inning. After a half, it's Giants 0, Royals coming up.

Royals 1st: After one out, shortstop Bill Pecota singled to left. Third baseman Kevin Seitzer beat out a grounder to third for an infield hit, but first baseman George Brett grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. We're scoreless after one.

Giants 2nd: First baseman Will Clark lined a leadoff single to right center. He remained at first while center fielder Chili Davis popped to Pecota at short and catcher Bob Brenly flew to left, bit shortstop Chros Speier slapped a single to left to keep the inning alive. Shortstop Jose Uribe forced him at second to retire the side with runners still at first and second. After an inning and a half, there's still no score.

Royals 2nd: Giants starter Atlee Hammaker had a one-two-three inning. After two, we're still scoreless.

Giants 3rd: Royals starter Bud Black responded with a one-two-three inning of his own. After two and a half, it's Giants 0, Royals 0.

Royals 3rd: Catcher Jamie Quirk flew to right center, left fielder Gary Thurman went down swinging, and center fielder Willie Wilson flew to left. After three, there's still no score.

Giants 4th: Leonard grounded to first, Clark bounced to second, and Davis took a called third strike. After three and a half, it's still zip-zip.

Royals 4th: Pecota led off with a single to right. A passed ball moved him down to second, and Seitzer's grounder to Speier at second moved him to third. Brett was next, ad his base hot to right center cashed in Pecota to give the Royals a 1-0 lead. Hammaker recovered to catch Tartabull looking, and second baseman Frank White's liner to Clark at first ended the inning. The Royals have hit the board first thanks to Brett's base hit, and after four they lead the Giants 1-0.

Giants 5th: A Black curveball hit Brenly in the back, and he quickly stole second. Black then hit Speier in the leg, and there was a brief staring contest before Speier took first base. Uribe then walked to load the bases. But Black recovered quickly, as right fielder Mike Aldrete lied the first pitch he saw right at White. Designated hitter Eddie Milner went down swinging on three pitches, and Wilson caught Mitchell's fly to deep center at the wall to end the inning. The Giants have been held off the board after loading the bases, and halfway through Game 1 it's Kansas City 1, San Francisco 0.

Before I go on, I have to correct a grievous error. I said in at least two of my ALCS posts that Dick Howser was managing the Royals. That's false; Billy Gardner managed the club until August 26, when he was replaced by former Royals catcher John Wathan.

Royals 5th: Designated hitter Steve Balboni lined to third, Quirk grounded to second, and Thurman was retired on a comebacker to Hammaker. After five, it's Kansas City 1, San Francisco 0.

Giants 6th: Leonard drew a leadoff walk. Clark tapped back to Black, and Bud threw to second to get the force on Leonard. The throw back to first wasn't in time for the double play. Davis popped to short for the second out, but Clark stole second. Brenly's grounder to short ended the inning with Clark still in scoring position. Black's pitching a three-hit shutout through six, and the Royals still lead 1-0.

Royals 6th: Wilson led off by beating out a grounder to short for an infield hit, but was forced by Pecota. Seitzer's base hit to right center put runners at the corners, and Brett walked on five pitches to load the bases for Tartabull. Hammaker fell behind three balls and no strikes, then came back to get a swinging strikeout. His luck didn't hold, however; White walked on a three-two pitch to force Tartabull in and give the home squad their second run. Balboni was retired on a comebacker to end the inning, but despite leaving the bases loaded the Royals have scratched out another run on two hits and two walks, and they lead the G-Men 2-0 after six.

Giants 7th: Speier flew to right, Uribe grounded to short, and Aldrete struck out looking. As we stretch in Kansas City, the home squad still leads 2-0.

Royals 7th: Quirk led off with a double down the left field line. Thurman's single to left center put runners at the corners, and Wilson brought Quirk home with a fly to center. Pecota flew to left for the second out, and Seitzer had a home run taken away from him when Aldrete climbed the right field wall to catch his fly ball. The Royals have added a run, and after seven it's AL Champs 3, NL Champs 0.

Giants 8th: Milner grounded to second, Mitchell grounded to short, and Leonard struck out swinging. Black has retied seven in a row, and he hasn't allowed a hit since Speier's two-out single in the second. As we go to the bottom of the eighth, his Royals still enjoy a 3-0 lead.

Royals 8th: Brett led off with a single to right center against new Giants pitcher Scott Garrelts, but was forced by Tartabull. White was retired on a fly to right center, but Balboni walked to put two men on. Quirk went down swinging to end the inning. Black's ready to go in the top of the ninth, and he'll be facing Clark, Davis, and Brenly. After eight, it's Royals 3, Giants 0.

Giants 9th: Clark led off with a base hit to right center. Davis lined to White for the first out, but Brenly's bloop single to left put two men on. Robby Thompson batted for Speier, but his fly to left was caught by Thurman on the left field line for out number two. Uribe walked to load the bases, and Dan Quisenberry hastened his throwing in the Kansas City bullpen. Aldrete was next, and his base hit to right on an 0-2 pitch brought home Clark and Brenly to cut the Royals' lead to 3-2 and also moved Uribe to third with the tying run. That brought Wathan out of the dugout, and Black exited to a loud standing ovation. The fans were up again just two pitches later, as Quisenberry retired pinch hitter Candy Maldonado (batting for Milner) on a fly to Wilson in left center to end the game. The Giants thus left the tying run at third and the go-ahead run at first. Our final score: Royals 3, Giants 2, and the American League champions lead the best-of-seven series one game to none.

Black was named Player of the Game by ABC. He pitched eight and two-third innings, giving up two runs on six hits while walking three and striking out five. He threw 125 pitches on the night.

Game 2 of this series will take place tomorrow night here at Royals Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Dave Dravecky starting for the Giants and Danny Jackson taking the hill for the Royals.

Final totals: Royals 3-9-0, Giants 2-6-0.

W- Black (1-0)
S- Quisenberry (1)
L- Hammaker (0-1)

Next: We look at Game 2.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 13, 2019

Now it's time for Game 2 of the 1987 World Series from Royals Stadium in Kansas City. The date is Sunday, October 18:

Weather: 51 degrees, fair skies, south wind at 12 MPH.

Lineup Changes:

Royals- Kevin Seitzer moves back up to the two hole, while Bill Pecota moves down to the sixth spot. He'll also move to second base in place of Frank White, who aggravated his wrist injury last night, Steve Balboni moves up to the fifth spot, while Lonnie Smith starts in left field and will bat seventh. Ross Jones starts at short and will bat eighth, while Larry Owen gives Jamie Quirk a rest behind the plate and will bat ninth.

Giants- Eddie Milner will start in center field and hit in the leadoff spot after serving as the designated hitter last night. Dave Henderson will serve as the designated hitter tonight and bat second. Mike Aldrete moves to left field in place of Jeffrey Leonard and will bat cleanup. Chili Davis moves from center field to right field. Finally, Robby Thompson is back at second base and will bat eighth.

Giants 1st: Milner led off with a single to right center, but Henderson grounded into a 4-6-3 double play. Kevin Mitchell restarted the inning by lining a base hit to left, and Aldrete's single to left center put runners at the corners. Will Clark walked to load the bases, but Davis' fly to right didn't carry, and Danny Tartabull made the catch to end the inning. The Giants leave the bases loaded without scoring. Now let's see what the Royals can do.

Royals 1st: Willie Wilson led off with a single to left. Seitzer followed with another single to left, and the Royals had runners at the corners. George Brett also hit the ball to left, but Aldrete made the catch at the warning track, allowing Wilson to jog home and give the home squad a 1-0 lead. Tartabull singled to left (where else?) which moved Seitzer to third. Giants starter Dave Dravecky clamped down at that point, retiring Balboni on a liner to Mitchell at third and retiring Pecota on a bouncer to third. The Royals manufacture a run to take the lead, but leave runners at second and third. The first inning has taken thirty-eight minutes to play, as the teams combined for six hits. But there's only one run on the board, and it belongs to the Royals.

Giants 2nd: Bob Brenly slapped a leadoff base hit to left center. Thompson's mulitiple-hopper to second handcuffed Pecota, who put it in his pocket. Uribe flew to Smth down the left field line for out number one, but Milner's single to right loaded the bases. Jerry Don Gleaton began throwing hurriedly in the Royals bullpen, but that didn't help Jackson find the plate; he walked Henderson on five pitches to force Brenly home and tie the game at one. Next up was Mitchell, who rapped a base hit to right center to score Thompson and Milner and give the Giants a 3-1 lead. Aldrete walked to reload the base, and that left Jackson to face Clark. Here's Al Michaels:

"Gleaton watching down in the Kansas City pen, as (Royals manager John) Wathan really doesn't want to go to a reliever just four outs into what looks like a slugfest. If Jackson can get out of this, he'll probably go at least five, and then Wathan can start using the pen. Of course, Jackson has to go through Will Clark to do that. Bases loaded, one out, and Jackson with control problems. He gets the sign from Owen, and the first pitch to Clark is hit in the air to center. Wilson going back, but it'll drop in front of him, and here comes everybody! Henderson's in, Milner's in, and Wilson's throw goes to third, which means that Aldrete comes in! A double by Will Clark clears the bases, and the Giants lead 6-1."

Tim McCarver: "Jackson's been having control issues all night, which means that he's trying to get strikes over. Clark sees this and turns on the first pitch. It's not hit nearly as far as it would be in the heat of summer, but it's enough to get past Wilson and clear the bases. Jackson lasts just an inning and a third, and the Giants are still in business with Clark at second."

Jim Palmer: "Gleaton's probably coming in just to get out of the inning. He's not a long man, and that's what the Royals need."

Gleaton walked Davis to put two men on, but Brenly, the tenth man to bat in the inning, grounded into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. The Giants have scored six runs on five hits and three walks, and knocked Jackson out of the game to boot. We head to the bottom of the second with the Giants in front 6-1.

Royals 2nd: Smith led off with a base hit to left, and Jones' single to left center moved him to third. Own took a called third strike, and Wilson bounced into a force play that brought Lonnie home and made it 6-2. Seitzer's base hit to left moved Wilson to third, but Brett's grounder to Uribe at short ended the inning. The Royals have scratched out a run on three hits, but they've left runners at first and third and still trail by four after two.

Giants 3rd: After two out, Jones fumbled Milner's grounder to short, allowing Eddie to reach. Henderson's base hit to center put runnaers at first and third, and Mitchell's seeing-eye single to left center scored Milner to make it 7-2 Frisco. Aldrete also singled to left center, which brought Hendu home with the Giants' eighth run. Clark struck out swinging to end the inning, but the Giants have scored twice and left runners at first and third. We've played two and a half, and it's Giants 8, Royals 2.

Royals 3rd: Tartabull drew a five-pitch leadoff walk. Balboni was caught looking, but Pecota singled to right center to put two men on. Next up was Smith, whose double off the wall in left scored Tartabull and Pecota and brought the Royals back to within 8-4. Lonnie ended up at third on Aldrete's throw, but was stranded there, as Jones tapped to Clark at first and Owen went down swinging to end the inning. The Royals have scored twice on two hits and a walk, leaving another potential run at third. After three innings and just under two hours, it's San Francisco 8, Kansas City 4.

Giants 4th: With two out against new Royals pitcher John Davis, Thompson's bloop down the left field line fell in for a double. But Uribe's liner was gloved by Pecota at second to end the inning. After three and a half, it's 8-4 Giants.

Royals 4th: New Giants pitcher Joe Price hit Wilson on the left elbow with his first pitch. Willie shook it off and trotted to first, but Seitzer struck out swinging. Wilson stole second, and Brett walked to put two men on. Tartabull's comebacker turned into a force play on Brett, with Wilson moving to third. Price then caught Balboni looking to end the threat. The Royals leave runners at the corners. and after four they trail the Giants 8-4.

Giants 5th: Davis has the night's first one-two-three inning. Halfway through Game 2, it's NL Champs 8, AL Champs 4.

Royals 5th: Pecota led off with a base hit to right. Aldrete flew to Smith in left, but the ball tumbled out of Lonnie's glove before he could secure the catch, and the Royals had two on. Jones grounded into an around-the-horn double play to move Pecota to third. but Quirk (batting for Owen) took a called third strike to end the inning. After five, the Giants still lead by four.

Giants 6th: With one out, Clark doubled into the right center power alley. Chili's grounder to first moved him to third, but Brenly went down swinging to end the inning. We've played five and a half, and it's G-Men 8, Monarchs 4.

Royals 6th: Wilson led off with a single to right, then stole second. Seitzer singled up the middle to score Wilson and cut the Frisco lead to 8-5. Brett forced Seitzer at second for out number one, and Price struck out Tartabull swinging and Balboni looking to retire the side. The Royals have scored a run on two hits, and after six they've reduced their deficit to 8-5. On a side note, Balboni has taken called third strikes in his last three at-bats.

Giants 7th: Uribe's one-out triple was wasted when Milner grounded to short and Henderson grounded to second. As we stretch in Game 2, the Giants still lead 8-5.

Royals 7th: Pecota and Smith drew back-to-back walks, but Price rebounded to catch Jones looking, strike Quirk out swinging, and retire Wilson on a bouncer to short. After seven, it's still Giants 8, Royals 5.

Giants 8th: After two out, Clark lashed a triple into the right field corner. Davis followed up with a fly ball to left center that dropped on the warning track, then bounced over the wall for a ground-rule double. Clark was awarder home plate, and the Giants led 9-5. Brenly's infield pop was caught by Jones to end the inning, but the Giants have added a run to lead the Royals 9-5 after seven and a half.

Royals 8th: Brett walked with one out against new Giants pitcher Donnie Robinson. Tartabull popped to Thompson for the second out, but Balboni's single to right put two men on, and Pecota's single to left loaded the bases. The table was set for Smith, but he popped weakly to Mitchell at third on the first pitch, and the Royals' golden opportunity had come to nothing. They've left the bases loaded without scoring, and we head to the ninth with them still trailing the Giants 9-5.

Giants 9th: Thompson led off with a double into the right field corner. After Uribe grounded to third, Milner drilled a double to center to score Thompson and put the Giants in double digits. Milner then tried to steal third but was thrown out by Quirk, and Henderson's grounded to first ended the inning. The Giants have added another run, and as we head to the last of the ninth they lead the Royals 10-5.

Royals 9th: The Royals went down in order for the first and only time tonight. Our final: Giants 10, Royals 5, and this best-of-seven series is tied at a game apiece.

Clark was named Player of the Game by ABC. He was three for four plus a walk with a run scored and three runs batted in. Mitchell was three for five with a run scored and three more RBIs, and Milner was three for six with an RBI and two runs scored. The Giants totaled eighteen hits on the evening.

Final totals: Giants 10-18-1, Royals 5-13-1.

W- Price (1-0)
L- D. Jackson (0-1)

Before we go, here are our Defensive Plays of the Night. First, it's the top of the eighth, and Mitchell's at the plate with the count one ball and one strike. Here's Al:

"One-one pitch hit deep to left center. Wilson coming in, ball dropping quickly, Smith cuts in front and MAKES THE CATCH!...….That's not supposed to happen, but Lonnie had a better look at the ball than Wilson did; it looked like Wilson lost it in the lights, but Lonnie saw it all the way. One out."

Now to the bottom of the eighth, as Seitzer welcomes Robinson to the World Series the hard way:

Michaels: "First pitch is LINED RIGHT TO ROBINSON, WHO HAS TO GET DOWN AND SMOTHER IT FOR THE OUT!...….He looked like a hockey goalie diving on top of a slapshot and holding it for the faceoff. It must have been all those years in Pittsburgh watching the Penguins. One out in the Kansas City eighth, and here's George Brett."

The series shifts to Candlestick Park in San Francisco for Game 3 on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, Mike Krukow will start for the Giants, while Bret Saberhagen gets the start for the Royals.

Next: We look at Game 3.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 14, 2019

Now it's time for Game 3 of the 1987 World Series from Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The date is Tuesday, October 20:

Lineup Changes:

Royals- Frank White is back at second base and batting fifth. Jamie Quirk is back in the starting lineup behind the plate and hitting sixth. Bo Jackson is starting in left field and batting seventh, and Ross Jones moves to shortstop and bats eighth.

Giants- Almost a complete makeover. Jeffrey Leonard is back in left field and batting second. Mike Aldrete starts at his third different position in the series, as he sibs for an ailing Will Clark at first base and batting third. Candy Maldonado makes his first start of the series in right field and will bat fourth. Harry Spilman gets the start at third base for Kevin Mitchell and will hit fifth. Chris Speier returns to second base and will bat sixth. Bob Melvin is behind the plate and hitting seventh, and Matt Williams makes his first start of the postseason at short and will bat eighth.

Weather: 55 degrees, fair skies, west wind at 6 MPH.

Royals 1st: After one out, Kevin Seitzer singled up the middle. George Brett's base hit to left center moved him to third, and he came home with the game's first run when Danny Tartabull bounced into a force play. White's base hit to left kept the inning going, but Quirk struck out swinging to retire the side. The Royals have scored first on three hits and left two men on; here come the hometown Giants.

Giants 1st: Leonard singled to left center with one out, but Aldrete bounced into a 6-4-3 inning-ending double play. We've played one, and it's 1-0 Royals.

Royals 2nd: Jones singled to left with one out. Giants starter Mike Krukow struck out mound opponent Bret Saberhagen swinging for out number two, which brought Willie Wilson to the plate. Here's Al Michaels with the count one ball and one strike:

"The Giants are getting a taste of what happened to the Mets in the NLCS, as most of their starters aren't in the lineup due to a combination of injury and almost freezing to death in Kansas City over the weekend. Clark has a chest cold, but can pinch hit. Mitchell's knees are bothering him, but he can pinch hit. Robby Thompson's on the bench but inactive because of a bug, and Uribe's got a sore wrist; he can't hit, but he might be a defensive replacement late. The only one who's supposed to be off is Brenly. Wilson stands in again, and Krukow pitches to him...…...AND THAT ONE'S TORCHED TO DEEP LEFT CENTER! MILNER BACK AT THE WALL, BUT THIS ONE'S LONG GONE!...….Willie Wilson not known for his power, but he looked like Hank Aaron on that swing, and the Royals lead 3-0."

Tim McCarver: "You're right, Al. Willie Wilson's not known for his power like George Brett or Bo Jackson is, but he can certainly take you deep on the right pitch. That ball was up just a touch, but that was enough for him to turn on it and hit it a long way."

Jim Palmer: "This might shock some of you at home, but that was the first home run of the series by either team. As much of a slugfest as there was on Sunday in Game 2, neither team hit a home run."

Seitzer kept the inning going with a single to right center, and that brought Brett to the plate:

Michaels: "There was some question as to whether George would accept the switch to first, but he said that they explained to him about needing to get Seitzer in the lineup, and he was happy to do it. It certainly hasn't affected him at the plate any, that's for sure. Krukow already in trouble, as Rick Reuschel's throwing in the Giants' bullpen. He needs to get Brett right her, BUT THE FIRST PITCH IS HIT A TON TO LEFT! LEONARD GOING BACK, BUT HE HAS NO CHANCE WHATEVER! A HUGE BLAST FROM GERGE BRETT, AD THE ROYALS NOW LEAD 5-0!"

McCarver: "That was close to four hundred feet, and was still rising when it went over the wall. Remember, left field at Candlestick is 335 feet, so that one was hit a long way."

Palmer: "That's the type of home run that will get Brett into the Hall of Fame someday, among other things. And (Giants manager) Roger Craig's coming for Krukow."

Reuschel caught Tartabull looking to end the inning, but a pair of two-run homers from Wilson and Brett have the Royals in front 5-0 after an inning and a half.

Giants 2nd: Saberhagen set the Giants down in order. After two, it's Royals 5, Giants 0.

Royals 3rd: Reuschel responded with a one-two-three inning of his own. It's still 5-0 Royals after two and a half.

Giants 3rd: Reuschel's two-out single to right center was wasted when Milner's fly to right center was caught by Wilson on the warning track. After three, it's Kansas City 5, San Francisco 0.

Royals 4th: With two out, Wilson beat out a grounder to second for an infield single. A passed ball from Melvin moved him to second, but Seitzer flew to right to end the inning. After three and a half, it's AL Champs 5, NL Champs 0.

Giants 4th: Leonard led off with a double to right center. Aldrete's grounder to first moved him to third, and he came home on Maldonado's fly to center. Spilman's grounder to first ended the inning, but the Giants have dented the scoreboard. At the end of four, they trail the Royals 5-1.

Royals 5th: Brett led off with a base hit to right. Tartabull's single to left put two men on, and White's single to left scored Brett to make it 6-1 Kansas City. Quirk followed with a base hit to right center, the Royals' fourth consecutive single, and Tartabull trotted home to make it 7-1. Reuschel came back to strike Bo and Saberhagen out swinging; in between Jones hit a comebacker that turned into a force play on Quirk at second. But the Royals have added a pair on for hits, and halfway through Game 3 they're comfortably in front, 7-1.

Giants 5th: Williams singled to right center with two out, but Clark (batting for Reuschel) struck out swinging to end the inning. After five, the Royals still lead by six.

Royals 6th: Wilson led off with a triple into the left field corner against new Giants pitcher Craig Lefferts. Seitzer's sacrifice fly to left brought him home with the eighth Kansas City run. Brett flew to left center, and Tartabull went down swinging to end the inning. The Royals have added another run, and they lead the Giants 8-1 after five and a half.

Giants 6th: Milner took a called third strike, Leonard flew to the warning track in left, and Mitchell (batting for Lefferts) lined to White at second. After six, it's still Royals by a touchdown.

Royals 7th: White drew a leadoff walk, but new Giants pitcher Donnie Robinson retired the next three hitters in order. As we stretch by the Bay, the Royals still lead 8-1.

Giants 7th: An easy inning for Saberhagen: Maldonado popped to second, Spilman grounded to second, and Speier grounded to short. After seven, the Royals still lead by seven.

Royals 8th: Saberhagen struck out swinging, Wilson grounded to second, and Seitzer flew to right center. After seven and a half, it's still 8-1 Royals.

Giants 8th: Melvin lined to Jones at short, Williams took a called third strike, and Clark flew to right. Saberhagen has now retired nine in a row, and the Royals still lead 8-1 after eight.

Royals 9th: Brett struck out swinging, Tartabull grounded to second, and White grounded to short. Robinson has also retired nine in a row, but the Giants still need seven to tie and eight to win as we head to the last of the ninth.

Giants 9th: Milner led off with an infield single to short. After Leonard struck out, Brenly batted for Robinson and singled to right. That brought up Maldonado, who took a strike. Here's Al:

"Even if the Giants fall short tonight, which they will barring an absolute miracle, a big inning here can show the Royals that they still have life, which would be important over the rest of the series. Of course, with (Charlie) Leibrandt going tomorrow night, any life they show tonight could be extinguished in a hurry. One strike to Maldonado, as Saberhagen looking to shut it down. Quick look at the runners, and the one-strike pitch......LINED DEEP TO LEFT, BO GOES BACK, AT THE WALL, BUT HE CAN FORGET IT!...….Maldonado hits the first home run for the Giants in this series, and it's now an 8-4 game."

McCarver: "This may be the first mistake that Saberhagen's made all night, and he sure pays for it. That's what the Giants need to get back to in prder to win this series: the longball. It helped them beat the Mets, and it can sure help them here."

Palmer: "(Royals manager) John Wathan is out to talk to Saberhagen; he's probably just out there to give him a break and calm him down a bit, since there's no one throwing in the Royals' bullpen."

Wathan's words, whatever they were, worked like a charm; Spilman struck out swinging, and Speier's liner to White ended the game. Our final: Royals 8, Giants 4, and the American League champs lead the series two games to one.

Saberhagen was named Player of the Game by ABC. He pitched a complete game, giving up four runs on seven hits while striking out four and not allowing a walk in 105 pitches. Wilson and Brett were also considered; they possessed identical stat lines, as they each went three for five with a homer, two runs scored, and two RBIs.

Game 4 will be tomorrow night here at Candlestick Park. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, with Charlie Leibrandt pitching for the Royals and Kelly Downs starting for the Giants.

Final totals: Royals 8-13-0, Giants 4-7-0.

W- Saberhagen (1-0)
L- Krukow (0-1)

HR- KC: Wilson (1), Brett (1)
SF: Maldonado (1)

Next: We look at Game 4.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 15, 2019

Now it's time for Game 4 of the 1987 World Series from Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The date is Wednesday, October 21:

Lineup Changes:

Royals- Bill Pecota is back at shortstop and batting sixth. Jamie Quirk moves down to seventh, while Gary Thurman is back in left field and batting eighth.

Giants- Mike Aldrete moves to right field and will bat in the leadoff spot. Will Clark is back at first and will bat third. Chili Davis is back in center field and will bat fourth. Bob Brenly starts behind the plate and will bat sixth, and Robby Thompson is back at second base and will bat seventh.

Weather: 60 degrees, cloudy skies, west-northwest wind at 6 MPH.

Royals 1st: With one out, Kevin Seitzer blooped a single into left. After George Brett went down swinging, Danny Tartabull grounded down to Matt Williams at short. The ball rolled under Williams' glove for an error, and the Royals had two men on. Mike LaCoss, pressed into service as the starting pitcher when Kelly Downs' shoulder stiffened during his warmups, struck Frank White out swinging to end the inning. The Royals don't score and leave runners at first and second; now let's see about the Giants.

Giants 1st: With one out, Jeffrey Leonard doubled into the right center power alley. Clark's seeing-eye single to right center brought him home, and the Giants led 1-0. Davis made it three straight hits with a single to left that moved Clark to third, but Royals starter Charlie Leibrandt caught Harry Spilman looking, then fanned Brenly swinging to end the threat. The Giants settle for a run on three hits while leaving runners at the corners, and at the end of one they lead the Royals 1-0.

Royals 2nd: Quirk drew a one-out walk. Thurman's single to left center put two men on, but Leibrandt went down swinging and Willie Wilson lined to Clark at first. The Royals leave two men on for the second inning in a row, and after one and a half they trail the Giants 1-0.

Giants 2nd: Williams singled to left with one out and was bunted over to second by LaCoss, but Aldrete grounded to Brett at first to end the inning. After two, it's Giants 1, Royals 0.

Royals 3rd: Brett walked with one out. Tartabull's double to left center put runners at second and third. White was next, and he grounded to Spilman at third. Harry made a fine backhanded stop, but his throw to first caromed off of Clark's glove, which allowed White to reach and Brett to score and tie the game. That brought up Pecota, who ran the count to three balls and no strikes. Here's Al Michaels:

"LaCoss got the call to start less than an hour before the game, so he might be tiring already. The long man tonight would be Craig Lefferts, according to (Giants manager) Roger Craig, and he's throwing in the Giants' pen right now. Tartabull at third, White at first, and Quirk on deck, so LaCoss may have his evening on the line right here. A check of the runners, and the 3-0 pitch...….LINE DRIVE, BASE HIT LEFT CENTER, AND IT'LL GO TO THE WALL! BOTH RUNNERS SCORE, PECOTA PULLS IN AT SECOND, AND IT'S 3-1 ROYALS!"...…..Pecota's gotten several key hits for the Royals during this postseason, and that might have been one of the biggest right there given the situation."

Tim McCarver: "The Royals have almost always gotten the key hits they've needed during this postseason, and this is just the latest example. It drops right in front of Chili Davis and rolls to the wall, which gives both runners more than enough time to circle the bases."

Jim Palmer: "Craig's staying with LaCoss. The Giants' pitching staff is in rough shape right now. Don Robinson's gone long the last two games, they have to watch Rick Reuschel's shoulder, and Joe Price went a long way in cold weather in Game 2, so LaCoss might have to eat innings even if he's kind of shaky."

LaCoss rebounded to freeze Quirk with a curveball for strike three, but Thurman bashed a triple off the top of the right field wall to score Pecota and give the Royals a 4-1 lead. Leibrandt went down swinging to end the inning, but the Royals have scored four runs on three hits, a walk, and an error while leaving a potential fifth run at third, and they lead the Giants 4-1 after two and a half.

Giants 3rd: Leibrandt set the Giants down in order. After three, it's Kansas City 4, San Francisco 1.

Royals 4th: With one out, Seitzer socked a triple into the left field corner. Brett came within inches of a home run to right center, but Davis made the catch at the wall. Seitzer jogged home, and the Royals led 5-1. Tartabull struck out swinging to end the inning, but the Royals have added a run, and their lead is now 5-1 after three and a half.

Giants 4th: Brenly singled to left center with one out. Thompson's single to left put two men on, but Williams popped to second and Kevin Mitchell (batting for LaCoss) flew to left center to end the inning. The Giants leave two men on and trail 5-1 after four.

Royals 5th: Pecota lined a single up the middle with one out against Lefferts. After Quirk flew to center, Thurman singled to left. Leibrandt went down swinging for the third time tonight, and the Royals left two men on again, which means that they've left seven men on so far tonight. They still lead the Giants 5-1 halfway through Game 4.

Giants 5th: Aldrete led off with a single to center, but was forced by Leonard. Clark struck out swinging, and Davis flew to right center to end the inning. After five, it's AL Champs 5, NL Champs 1.

Royals 6th: Seitzer singled to right center with one out, but Brett and Tartabull both went down swinging to end the inning. After five and a half, the Royals still lead 5-1.

Giants 6th: Thompson's two-out double to center was wasted when Williams grounded to short. It's 5-1 Royals after six.

Royals 7th: With one out, Pecota grounded to Williams, who booted the ball for the Giants' third error of the night. Quirk forced Pecota, but Thurman's base hit to left center put runners at the corners. Leibrandt went down swinging for the fourth time tonight to end the inning. The Royals have left ten men on base through seven innings, but as we stretch they lead the Giants 5-1.

Giants 7th: Eddie Milner (batting for Lefferts) flew to left center, Aldrete struck out swinging, and Leonard flew to the warning track in right center. After seven, it's KC 5, Frisco 1.

Royals 8th: New Giants pitcher Mark Grant retired the Royals in order. After seven and a half, the Monarchs still lead by four.

Giants 8th: Clark grounded to second, Davis grounded to third, and Spilman flew to right. We go to the ninth with the Royals leading 5-1.

Royals 9th: Tartabull grounded to first, White struck out swinging, and Pecota lined back to Grant. The Giants have one last chance down by four. Pecota's line drive is our Defensive Play of the Night. Here's Al:

"One-one pitch...…..LINE SHOT BACK AT GRANT! He's lucky it didn't break his sternum, as the ball caught him squarely in the chest. If he'd had to throw to first, Pecota would most likely have been safe. As it is, the Royals go down in order, and as Grant regains his wind, we go to the bottom of the ninth with the Royals up 5-1."

Giants 9th: Leibrandt finished his evening in style: Brenly popped to White at second, Thompson struck out swinging, and Williams grounded to third. Our final: Royals 5, Giants 1, and the Royals lead the series three games to one.

Leibrandt was named Player of the Game by ABC. He earned his fourth win of the postseason by pitching a complete game, giving up one run on eight hits and striking out seven while not giving up a walk in 116 pitches. Pecota led the offense by going two for five with a run scored and two RBIs, while Thurman was a perfect four for four with an RBI.

Game 5 will be tomorrow night here at Candlestick Park. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8:30 PM Eastern, with Dave Dravecky pitching for the Giants and Mark Gubicza for the Royals.

Unfortunately, I forgot the totals, but Leibrandt was the winning pitcher and LaCoss the loser.

Next: We look at Game 5.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 16, 2019

Now it's time for Game 5 of the 1987 World Series from Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The date is Thursday, October 22:

Lineup Changes:

Royals- Lonnie Smith gets the start in left field and will bat sixth, which moves Bill Pecota down to seventh. Larry Owen gets another start behind the plate and will bat eighth.

Giants- Eddie Milner is back in center field and leading off. Kevin Mitchell will bat second and play third base. Mike Aldrete will move to left field and bat third, which moves Will Clark down to fifth. Candy Maldonado is back in right field and will bat cleanup. Finally, Jose Uribe is back at short and will bat eighth.

Weather: 60 degrees, mostly cloudy skies, northwest wind at 9 MPH.

Royals 1st: With one out, Kevin Seitzer singled up the middle. George Brett walked too put two men on, but was forced by Danny Tartabull, with Seitzer moving to third. But Frank White went down swinging to end the inning. After a half, it's Royals nothing, Giants coming up.

Giants 1st: With two out, Aldrete singled to right. Maldonado's base hit to left put two men on, but Clark grounded to Brett at first to end the inning. We're scoreless after one.

Royals 2nd: Owen walked with two out, but Royals starter Mark Gubicza went soen swinging to end the inning. We're still scoreless after an inning and a half.

Giants 2nd: Uribe's two-out walk was wasted when Giants starter Dave Dravecky flew to left. After two, there's still no score.

Royals 3rd: With two out, Brett beat out a grounder to short for an infield single. Tartabull's base hit put two men on, but White's fly to shallow center ended the inning. We've played two and a half, and we're still scoreless.

Giants 3rd: With one out, Mitchell stepped to the plate against Gubicza. Here's Al Michaels with the count no balls and two strikes:

"Mitchell's knees have been troubling him ever since the postseason began, and the cold weather in Kansas City last weekend really made it tough to move for him, so Harry Spilman filled in for the last two games. Tonight, though, with the Giants' season on the line, (Giants manager Roger) Craig goes back to the better hitter with more power. Two-strike pitch is hit a ton to left, but not carrying well. Over is Smith, going back, it's carrying better than I thought AND IT'S GONE!...….You've heard of balls dying at the fence? That one picked up speed as it neared the wall and went over to give the Giants a 1-0 lead."

Tim McCarver: "Al just mentioned that Mitchell's back in the lineuo because of his superior power. Well, this was an example. It starts out as a routine fly ball, but it's hit just solidly enough that it keeps carrying and eventually goes over the fence in left. I don't like the way Mitchell's running the bases, though. His knees are still a problem."

Jim Palmer: "We might see Harry Spilman as a defensive replacement later in the game, but right now the Giants need Mitchell's bat to help them score runs. Their season depends on it."

Gubicza settled down after Mitchell's homer, getting Aldrete to ground to short and Malonado to fly to the warning track in right center, where Willie Wilson made the catch to end the inning. After three in Game 5, it's Giants 1, Royals 0.

Royals 4th: With one out, Pecota singled to right center, then stole second. After Owen went down swinging, Gubicza's bloop found friendly ground in right. Pecota scored, and we were tied at one. Wilson's grounder to second ended the inning, but thanks to Gubicza helping his own cause, we're tied at one after three and a half.

Giants 4th: Gubicza retired the Giants one-two-three. After four, we're still tied at one.

Royals 5th: Tartabull singled to right with two out, but White struck out swinging at a three-two pitch to end the inning. Halfway through Game 5, it's AL Champs 1, NL Champs 1.

Giants 5th: With one out, Chili Davis batted for Dravecky and lined a base hit up the middle. After Milner flew to right center, Mitchell singled to left to put runners at the corners. Aldrete was next, and he lined a perfect bank shot off of Seitzer's glove for an infield single. Davis came in to score, and the Giants led 2-1. Maldonado's bouncer to short ended the inning, but the Giants have scored the go-ahed run thanks to three hits, and they lead the Royals 2-1 after five.

Royals 6th: Pecota walked with one out against new Giants pitcher Joe Price, but Owen went down swinging for the second out, and Pecota was caught trying to steal second to end the inning. After five and a half, it's San Francisco 2, Kansas City 1.

Giants 6th: Clark grounded to second, Bob Brenly grounded to third, and Robby Thompson's fly down the left field line was snagged by Smith to end the inning. After six, the Giants are clinging to a 2-1 lead.

Royals 7th: After two out, Seitzer walked on five pitches. Brett lined a base hit to right to put two on. That brought up Tartabull, who got ahead in the count two balls and no strikes. Here's Al:

"Price was the winning pitcher on Sunday night in Game 2, but hasn't been seen since. Now he's in a jam, with two on and a two-ball count on Tartabull, who can give the Royals the lead with one swing. The runners will be off on contact with two out; you've got Seitzer at second and Brett at first. If the Giants decide to pitch around Tartabull, Frank White's on deck, and he can do a little something with the bat too. Price in trouble no matter how you look at it, but all he needs is a ground ball to get out of the inning. A check of the runners, and here's the two-ball pitch...….THAT ONE'S CRUSHED TO DEEP RIGHT FIELD, AND THE ROYALS HAVE THE LEAD UST LIKE THAT! THAT HAS TO BE AN UPPER-DECK BOMB FROM DANNY TARTABULL!"

Palmer: "Price knows he threw the wrong pitch, but it's too late to do anything about it now."

McCarver: "Price tried to get Tartabull to chase a curveball, but it hung badly enough that Tartabull could take his time and put his best swing on it, and that's dangerous for the pitcher when the hitter has the kind of power that Danny Tartabull does. Right field is 335 feet from home plate, and that has to hit 380 or better."

Michaels: "The estimate is 382 feet, so Mr. McCarver gets the proverbial cigar, even if it's imaginary."

A rattled Price gave up back-to-back walks to White and Smith, which fprced Craig to go to his pen again. Mark Grant caught Pecota looking to finally end the inning, but Tartabull's three-run blast has put the Royals just nine outs away from their second world championship in three years. As we stretch at Candlestick, the Royals now lead 4-2.

Giants 7th: With one out, Spilman, who as in as a defensive replacement for Mitchell at third, was hit in the back by a pitch. But Milner lined to short, and Chris Speier (batting for Grant) grounded to short to end the inning. After seven, it's Royals 4, Giants 2.

Royals 8th: New Giants pitcher Craig Lefferts struck out the first two batters he faced, but Wilson walked, then stole second. Seitzer's infield single to short put runners at the corners, and Brett''s solid base hit to right center brought Wilson home to make it 5-2 Kansas City. Seitzer moved to third, but both runners were stranded when Tartabull grounded to second, ending the inning. Brett's base hit has given the Royals a much-needed insurance run, and as we go to the bottom of the eighth the Royals now lead 5-2.

Giants 8th: Maldonado singled to right with one out, but was forced by Clark, who was in turn forced by Brenly. After eight, it's Royals 5, Giants 2.

Royals 9th: The Royals went down in order for the first time all evening, but they're just three outs away from the world championship. We head to the bottom of the ninth with the visitors leading 5-2.

Giants 9th: Thompson took a called third strike, and Uribe was retired on a comebacker to Gubicza. We pick up Al's call with Jeffrey Leonard batting for Spilman and down one ball and two strikes:

"Should the Giants somehow tie the game, Matt Williams would most likely take over at third, but that's the last things on their minds right now; they just want a baserunner. The Royals one strike away from the championship, and also from the fourth complete game thrown by their starters in this series. The Giants have had a moment here and there offensively, but the Royals' pitchers have made the big pitches when they've had to. All they need is one more. Leonard back in, and Gubicza gets what he hopes is one last sign from Owen. One-two pitch.....to short, Pecota up with it, to Brett, AND THAT'S IT! THE ROYALS HAVE WON THEIR SECOND WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN THREE YEARS!...….The Royals did it with pitching, as Black, Saberhagen, Leibrandt, and tonight Gubicza all threw complete games and shut down the Giants' offense for all intents and purposes. Gubicza gave up two runs on seven hits while walking just one and striking out five, and he threw 119 pitches to do it.

As for MVP, the pitchers should split the vote, so Tartabull might just get it because of his home run tonight...…..Shows what I know; they all get it! Bud Black, Bret Saberhagen, Charlie Leibrandt, and Mark Gubicza have been named co-MVPs, and I'm pretty sure they'll find a way to share it with Danny Jackson as well. As for the Giants, nagging injuries and the extreme cold in Kansas City for the first two games just might have been too much to overcome. much like the food poisoning incident in San Francisco was too much for the Mets to overcome in the NLCS.

Our final tonight: Royals 5, Giants 2, and the Royals take the series and the championship four games to one. Tim McCarver is in the victorious Royals' clubhouse, while Jim Palmer will have a few words with the Giants who feel like talking. Back with those interviews and a whole lot more after these messages and a word from your local stations."

Final totals: Royals 5-10-0, Giants 2-7-0.

W- Gubicza (1-0)
L- Price (1-1)

HR- KC: Tartabull (1)
SF: Mitchell (1)

This is the Royals' second world championship.

We've now contested eighty-four World Series in the Pythagorean universe, and the American League has a 46-38 all-time lead.

Next: We look at Game 1 of the 1989 NLCS from Shea Stadium in New York. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern. Scott Garrelts will start for the Giants, while Bob Ojeda will pitch for the Mets.

Thoughts?

LoneStarCowboy · Jul 16, 2019

Found this cool idea, and I saw my Rangers won multiple division titles, but I never saw any time where they won/went to the World Series. So, have they at least been to a World Series?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 16, 2019

Not yet, Cowboy. They took the Yankees to five games in the full-season '81 ALCS, but that's the best they've done so far. Stay tuned, though; we'll hear from the Lawmen plenty before this timeline's done!

LoneStarCowboy · Jul 16, 2019

Garrett Garlits said:
Not yet, Cowboy. They took the Yankees to five games in the full-season '81 ALCS, but that's the best they've done so far. Stay tuned, though; we'll hear from the Lawmen plenty before this timeline's done!

Well, dang. Glad that they ain't gonna have a really bad World Series drought

Garrett Garlits · Jul 17, 2019

Now it's time for Game 1 of the 1989 National League Championship Series from Shea Stadium in New York. The game was delayed a little over two hours thanks to heavy winds that resulted in wind chills below freezing.. First pitch finally came at 10:09 PM Eastern, with a temperature of 51 degrees, cloudy skies, and a northwest wind at 15 MPH.

This one was a pitcher's duel through seven and a half inning. Giants starter Scott Garrelts blanked the Mets on three hits, while Mets starter Bob Ojeda shut out the Giants on four hits. The Giants left runners at the corners in the first and eighth innings and a runner at third in the second, but couldn't score. The Mets didn't truly threaten until the bottom of the seventh, when they loaded the bases with one out only for first baseman Tim Teufel to hit into a 5-2-3 inning ending double play.

Mets 8th: Steve Bedrosian replaced Garrelts, as he was greeted by a single to left from catcher Gary Carter. Shortstop Kevin Elster forced Carter at second for the first out. Mets manager Davey Johnson sent Keith Hernandez up to bet for Ojeda, and his single to left center put runners at the corners. Second baseman Gregg Jefferies walked to load the bases, which brought center fielder Juan Samuel to the plate. Vin Scully's a bit under the weather, so we hear from a man who came to the game as a spectator and was pressed into service after the long, cold delay:

Dick Enberg: "What a game here at Shea after that long delay due to the winds. I'm just now getting warmed up, and it's the bottom of the eighth inning. Once again for those who've just joined us, Vin Scully had to leave tonight after sitting in the booth with a head cold waiting for the game to start, so this is Dick Enberg with Tom Seaver and Marv Albert, happy to be pinch hitting for Vin in this terrific game. He's decided to fly home to the West Coast and get ready for the weekend games in San Francisco, so I'll be here tomorrow night as well.

As for the game, the Mets have the bases loaded with one out, and they're trying to break a scoreless tie. Samuel one for three tonight, and Bedrosian no doubt looking for the double play that will get his Giants out of this mess. Jeff Brantley throwing in the Giants' bullpen, and he'll pitch the ninth, assuming Bedrosian can hold the Mets here. Shea Stadium rocking, and we're ready. Bedrosian checks the runners, especially Elster and third. From the stretch, the first pitch to Samuel...…..grounded into the hole AND PAST A DIVING URIBE! In to score is Elster, behind him is Hernandez, and the Mets take a 2-0 lead! Samuel will be run for by Mark Carreon now, but he's more than done his job."

Tom Seaver: "He fits this ball between Matt Williams at third and Jose Uribe at short perfectly, Dick. Uribe dives for it, but it's just out of his reach. It kind of surprised me that Hernandez didn't stop at third, but in this cold once you get moving it's probably best to keep moving."

Third baseman Howard Johnson was next, and he hit one to deep third. Williams made the stop, but his throw to first was late, which gave HoJo an infield single and allowed Jefferies to come home with the third New York run. Carreon and Johnson then pulled off a double steal, and Kevin McReynolds stroked a base hit that was nearly identical to Samuel's. Both Carreon and Johnson jogged home to put the Mets up 5-0.

With no one else warmed up, Giants skipper Roger Craig turned to Brantley, and he got right fielder Darryl Strawberry to bounce into a force play which eliminated McReynolds. Teufel then put the topper on the inning by lashing a double to center that scored Strawberry with run number six of the inning. Carter, who'd started the fun, grounded to second to retire the side, but the Mets have sent ten men to the plate and scored six runs on six hits with a walk and a man left at second. At the end of eight, it's Mets 6, Giants 0.

Giants 9th: Catcher Terry Kennedy drew a one-out walk against new Mets pitcher Don Aase. Right fielder Pat Sheridan's single to left center put two men on, and Uribe scored them both with a double to left, thus breaking up the Mets' shutout bid. Kenny Oberkfell batted for Brantley and grounded to first, which moved Uribe to third, and center fielder Brett Butler did the same to end the game. Our final: Mets 6, Giants 2, and the Mets lead the best-of-seven series one game to none.

Qjeda and Samuel shared NBC's Player of the Game honors. Samuel was named due to his game-winning hit, while Ojeda pitched eight shutout innings in the brutal cold, giving up just four hits while walking three and striking out five.

Game 2 will be tomorrow night here at Shea Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for just after 8:30 PM Eastern. Sid Fernandez will get the ball for the Mets, while Rick Reuschel starts for the Giants.

Final totals: Mets 6-9-0, Giants 2-6-1.

W- Ojeda (1-0)
L- Bedrosian (0-1)

Next: We look at Game 2.

Note: Vin Scully missed Game 2 of the 1989 NLCS in real life due to laryngitis, and since it was so cold in New York, I decided to give him both games off so I could use Dick on one more postseason series. Vin will be back for Game 3 at Candlestick Park. (Incidentally, Bob Costas filled in for Vin in real life, but I'm too big an Enberg fan not to use him when an opportunity like this presents itself. Dick being at the game as a spectator and being called on to fill in was entirely my idea.)

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 18, 2019

I lost the long version of Game 2 due to technical difficulties, so here's the one-paragraph (or so) version:

Mets 10, Giants 3 (NBC: Dick Enberg, Tom Seaver; NYM lead series 2-0)

Mets manager Davey Johnson replaced half of his lineup due to prolonged exposure to freeing wind chills in Game 1, but unlike in 1987, things worked out just fine. The game was broken open by a six-run eighth, where pinch hitters Keith Hernandez and Kevin McReynolds each hit home runs. Hernandez's led off the inning and gave the Mets a 4-2 lead, while McReynolds' blast finished it off and put them up 9-2. Howard Johnson and Dave Magadan also drove in three runs apiece for the Mets. and Johnson also added three hits and scored three times. Sid Fernandez went seven innings giving up just two runs on five hits, though he walked six. Rick Reuschel took the loss for the Giants, while Matt Williams had two hits and drove in a run.

Final totals: Mets 10-12-1, Giants 3-8-0.

W- Fernandez (1-0)
L- Reuschel (0-1)

HR- NYM: Hernandez (1), McReynolds (1)

Game 3 will be Saturday night, October 7 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, Ron Darling will start for the Mets, while Donnie Robinson gets the start for the Giants. On a broadcasting note, Vin Scully will be back in the booth for NBC.

Next: We look at Game 3.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 19, 2019

Now it's time for Game 3 of the 1989 National League Championship Series from Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The date is Saturday, October 7:

Lineup Changes:

Mets- Gregg Jefferies moves back up to the leadoff spot. Keith Miller moves to center field and will bat second. Dave Magadan moves up to the three spot. Kevin McReynolds is back in left field and will bat fifth. Mackey Sasser moves up to sixth. Mark Carreon moves from left field to right field, and Kevin Elster is back at shortstop and will bat eighth.

Giants- Candy Maldonado replaces Pat Sheridan in right field and bat seventh.

Giants 1st: With one out, Robby Thompson lined a ball off the left field wall for a hustling triple. He held at third as Will Clark grounded to second and Kevin Mitchell drew a five-pitch walk. That brought up Matt Williams, who lined a double into the right field corner to score both runners and give the Giants a 2-0 lead. Terry Kennedy beat out a grounder to short for an infield single that put runners at the corners, but Mets starter Ron Darling caught Maldonado looking at strike three to end the inning. The Giants have scored two runs on three hits and a walk, with the biggest hit being Williams' double. After one, they lead the Mets 2-0.

Mets 2nd: McReynolds led off with a double to right center. He moved to third on Sasser's tapper to first, which brought up Carreon. Here's Vin Scully with the count one ball and one strike:

"Carreon is best known in this series for being lifted in favor of Kevin McReynolds in Game 2, and McReynolds hit the first pitch he saw for a three-run homer which put the game on ice for the Mets. He wasn't scheduled to start tonight, but Darryl Strawberry left batting practice with back spasms, so he's in right field. Right now, he's ahead of (Giants starter Donnie) Robinson one ball and no strikes, and the next pitch is hit on a line to dead center, back goes Miller, at the wall, IT'S GONE!......Mark Carreon shows some home run power of his own here in the second, and we're looking at a 2-2 tie."

Tom Seaver: "Carreon's done really well this year when he's had the chance, and he really got a hold of this tailing fastball from Don Robinson. It's not particularly high, but it's hit so had that it gets out in a real hurry to tie this game."

Robinson ended the inning by striking out both Elster and Darling swinging, but Carreon's two-run homer has evened things up after an inning and a half.

Giants 5th: Brett Butler led off with a single to right After Robby Thompson went down swinging, Clark snuck a base hit between first and second to bring Butler home and give the home squad a 3-2 lead. Mitchell's popup was caught by Jefferies for the second out, and Williams forced Clark to end the inning. But the Giants have taken the lead on Clark's base hit. After five, it's Giants 3, Mets 2.

Giants 7th: Thompson singled to left center after two out. After Clark walked, Mitchell faced Mets reliever Don Aase. Here's Vin with the count no balls and two strikes:

"Aase's used the curveball to fool Mitchell on two straight pitches, and if he can do it again the Mets will be out of a major jam with Magadan, Johnson, and McReynolds due up in the eighth. On the other hand, a hit by Mitchell would bust this game wide open. Thompson at second, Clark at first, and two strikes to Mitchell. The sign from Kennedy, they're going curve again...…..AND MITCHELL HITS IT A TON TO DEEP LEFT CENTER! BACK GOES MILLER, AT THE WALL, IT'S GONE!...…….Fool me twice, shame on me, try to fool me three times, and you'll pay with a four-run deficit. 6-2 Giants, and (Mets manager) Davey Johnson's coming for Aase."

Seaver: "He should've gone with the fastball, Vin. Aase had Mitchell's timing completely wrecked, but he's a good enough hitter that he can latch on to any pitch that's thrown too often. It also hangs just a bit, which doesn't help. They're going crazy here at Candlestick, and Mitchell's coming out of the dugout to take a bow."

New Mets pitcher Jeff Musselman struck Williams out swinging to end the inning, but Mitchell's three-run blast has made the Mets' task in the ninth daunting, to say the least. We've played eight, and it's San Francisco 6, New York 2.

Mets 9th: Sasser drew a leadoff walk against Giants reliever Steve Bedrosian. Gary Carter then batted for Carreon and popped to short for out number one. Elster's double to center put runners at second and third, Keith Hernandez, who had been so successful off the bench in the first two games, batted for reliever Jeff Innis and fouled out to Clark behind first for out number two. Jefferies singled up the middle to score Sasseer and cut the Frisco lead to 6-3. With runners at the corners, Johnson sent up an obviously hurting Strawberry to bat for Miller. Darryl swung at the first pitch and popped up weakly behind first, where Clark made the catch to end the game. Our final: Giants 6, Mets 3, and the Mets now lead the series two games to one.

Mitchell's game-sealing home run earned him Player of the Game honors from NBC. Robinson also merited consideration; he pitched eight strong innings, giving up two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out seven in a hundred and four pitches.

Game 4 will be tomorrow night here at Candlestick Park. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 8PM Eastern, Kelly Downs will start for the Giants, while Frank Viola will get the ball for the Mets.

Final totals: Giants 6-10-0, Mets 3-8-0,

W- D. Robinson (1-0)
L- Darling (0-1)

HR- NYM: Carreon (1)
SF: Mitchell (1)

Next: We look at Game 4.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 20, 2019

Now it's time for Game 4 of the 1989 National League Championship Series from Candlestick Park in San Francisco. The date is Sunday, October 8:

Lineup Changes:

Mets- Keith Miller moves from center field to right field. Juan Samuel is back in center field and batting sixth. Barry Lyons starts behind the plate and will bat seventh.

Giants- Pat Sheridan is back in right field and batting seventh.

Mets 1st: Dave Magadan drew a two-out walk, which brought Howard Johnson to the plate. Here's Vin Scully with the count no balls and one strike:

"With all of the lineup changes the Mets have had in this series, Johnson's been one of the few constants, and that was also the case two years ago. Many in Detroit still question why (Tigers manager) Sparky Anderson played Marty Castillo at third instead of him back in 1984 when the Tigers lost to the Twins in the American League Championship Series, and they see the career he's had with the Mets as a major coulda, woulda, shoulda. There's a look at Magadan over at first, but he's not going anywhere. Downs to the belt, and the strike-one pitch...…..HIGH FLY BALL TO DEEP RIGHT CENTER, BACK IS SAMUEL AT THE TRACK, TO THE WALL, IT'S GONE!...….HoJo got that one up into the breeze, and it floated over the fence to give the Mets an early 2-0 lead."

Tom Seaver: "Howard Johnson and Kevin McReynolds are the leaders of this offense with Darryl Strawberry hurting, and this is why. Downs' pitch wasn't bad, and you might even say that Johnson was jammed a bit, but he got enough of it to get it up into the breeze as Vin said, and from there it just took off and went over the fence."

McReynolds' fly to right ended the inning, but HoJo's dinger has gotten the Mets off to a roaring start, as they lead 2-0 after a half. Now let's see how the Giants answer.

Giants 2nd: Matt Williams led off with a single to left. Terry Kennedy's single to right put two men on. Sheridan took a called third strike for the first out, but Jose Uribe's seeing-eye single to left loaded the bases. Mets starter Frank Viola struck out his mound opponent Kelly Downs swinging for the second out, and that was the last out he recorded tonight. First, Brett Butler walked on a three-two pitch to force in Williams. Then, Robby Thompson walked on five pitches to force Kennedy home and tie the game. Finally, Clark walked on four pitches to force Uribe home and give the Giants a 3-2 lead.

At that point, Lyons signaled to the Mets' dugout for Johnson and the Mets' trainer, and soon Viola walked off the mound trying to loosen up his pitching shoulder. Don Aase came on to strike out Mitchell and end the inning, but the Giants have scored three runs on three hits and three walks and left the bases loaded, and they have a 3-2 lead after two.

Now let's take time out for our Defensive Play of the Night. It's the bottom of the third with two out, and Sheridan's facing new Mets pitcher Jeff Innis. Here's Vin:

"High fly ball to center. Back goes Samuel, ball still carrying, has to try to backhand it, AND HE DOES!......That's a lesson to all you kids out there: stay with a ball even if it looks hopeless, because you never know what might happen. What a catch by the former infielder, and the Giants go out in order in the third. At the end of three, it's Giants 3, Mets 2."

Giants 8th: With one out, Candy Maldonado came to the plate to bat for Sheridan against Mets reliever Don Aase. Here's Vin with the count one ball and one strike:

"In the ninth against Craig Lefferts, the Mets will send up the heart of their order: Howard Johnson, Kevin McReynolds, and Juan Samuel. If you're wondering about Darryl Strawberry as a potential pinch hitter should someone get on, forget it. He could barely swing the bat last night when he pinch-hit, and he's not much better tonight. The Mets still have Gary Carter, and catcher Barry Lyons is due up fourth. Right now, though, it's Aase against Maldonado. The one-one pitch...….HIGH FLY BALL TO RIGHT CENTER, BACK GOES SAMUEL, TURNS AROUND AT THE WALL, IT'S GONE!......This is the spot that the Giants saved Maldonado for, and he did exactly as they'd hoped. It's now 4-2 Giants, and the Mets' climb against Lefferts is now almost impossibly steep."

Seaver: "The Giants have been going with superior defense in Pat Sheridan for most of this series, but they felt they needed more power in this situation, and that's exactly what they got. There was no doubt about this one from the moment it left Maldonado's bat; all Juan Samuel could do was turn around and watch it leave the park."

Uribe flew to center for the second out, but Earnest Riles batted for reliever Jeff Brantley and singled up the middle to keep the inning going. Butler walked to put two men on, but Aase struck Thompson out swinging to end the threat. The Giants leave runners at first and second, but Maldonado's blast off the bench has increased their lead to 4-2 after eight.

That was all the scoring. Lefferts allowed a two-out single to Samuel in the top of the ninth, but Carter batted for Lyons and bounced into a force play to end the game. Final score: Giants 4, Mets 2, and this series is now tied at two games apiece.

Downs was named Player of the Game by NBC. He pitched seven innings, giving up just two runs on five hits while walking one and striking out six in only eighty-five pitches.

The series will continue with Game 5 tomorrow afternoon here at Candlestick Park. First pitch is scheduled for shortly after 3PM Eastern, with Rick Reuschel pitching for the Giants and David Cone starting for the Mets.

Final totals: Giants 4-8-1, Mets 2-6-1.

W- Downs (1-0)
S- Lefferts (1)
L- Viola (0-1)

HR- NYM: H. Johnson (1)
SF: Maldonado (1)

Next: We look at Game 5.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 21, 2019

I lost my first attempt at Game 5, plus it's too hot to sit here and type, so here's a one-paragraph recap just to keep the timeline on track. (I probably won't pick an NLCS MVP since I've had to do two short recaps so far in this series.)

Giants 4, Mets 2 (NBC: Vin Scully, Tom Seaver; SF leads series 3-2)

Rick Reuschel went all the way in a hundred and ten pitches as the Giants completed their weekend sweep of the Mets at home. Back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth from Robby Thompson and Will Clark put the home squad ahead to stay, and Thompson also drove in a big insurance run by bouncing into a fielder's choice in the eighth. Matt Williams had the other Frisco RBI. For the Mets, Howard Johnson drove in one run with in the sixth, and Darryl Strawberry celebrated his return from back problems by hitting the first pitch he saw from Reuschel in the top of the first over the wall in right center field. Reuschel pitched a four-hitter and finished with two walks and ten strikeouts.

Game 6 will be at Shea Stadium on Wednesday night, with first pitch scheduled for just after 8PM Eastern. Dwight Gooden will make his first start of the series for the Mets, while Scott Garrelts will start for the Giants.

W- Reuschel (1-1)
L- Cone (0-1)

HR- NYM: Strawberry (1)

Next: We look at Game 6.

Thoughts?

Garrett Garlits · Jul 22, 2019

Now it's time for Game 6 of the 1989 National League Championship Series from Shea Stadium in New York. The date is Wednesday, October 11:

Lineup Changes:

Mets- Gregg Jefferies is back at second base and leading off. Juan Samuel is back in center field and batting second. Howard Johnson moves up to third. Kevin McReynolds is back in left field and batting cleanup. Tim Teufel replaces Dave Magadan at first base and will bat fifth. Darryl Strawberry's back is acting up again, so Mark Carreon starts in right field and will bat sixth. Finally, Gary Carter is back behind the plate and will hit seventh.

Before we go on, here are tonight's umpires:

Home Plate: Randy Marsh
First Base: Doug Harvey
Second Base: Bruce Froemming
Third Base: Jim Quick
Left Field: Terry Tata
Right Field: Charlie Williams

Weather: 55 degrees, cloudy skies, south-southeast wind at 13 MPH.

Mets 1st: With one out, Samuel grounded a single up the middle. Johnson's fly to the warning track in right center was caught by Butler for the second out, with Samuel holding at first. That brought up McReynolds, who smacked the first pitch he saw from Giants starter Scott Garrelts off the left field wall for a double. Samuel scored easily, and the Mets had a 1-0 lead. Teufel followed up by slapping a single to left. McReynolds scored, and it was 2-0 New York. Carreon launched a fly ball to deep left, but Kevin Mitchell ran the ball down in front of the warning track to end the inning. The Mets have scored two runs on three hits, and at the end of one they lead the Giants 2-0.

Giants 7th: Brett Butler lined a leadoff base hit to right center against Mets reliever Don Aase. Robby Thompson's double to left scored Butler and cut the Mets' lead to 2-1. Will Clark walked of four pitches to put two men on, but Aase rebounded to retire Mitchell on a fly to left center, Matt Williams on a popup to Kevin Elster at short, and Terry Kennedy on a line drive to second. The Giants settle for one run and leave runners at first and second, and as we stretch at Shea they trail the Mets 2-1.

Finally, here's our Defensive Play of the Night. It's the top of the eighth. Pat Sheridan has led off with a single, and new Mets pitcher Jeff Musselman is facing Jose Uribe. Here's Vin Scully:

"Back to the mound, Musselman up with it, high throw corralled by Jeffferies, throw to first......SAFE!......But that was still a great catch by Jefferies, as that throw by Musselman almost ended up in center field, which could have meant second and third with nobody out. Instead, Ken Oberkfell is batting for Garrelts with a runner at first and one out."

Our final score: Mets 2, Giants 1.

I lost the sim before I could make sure of the totals or the winning and losing pitchers, which makes three incomplete sims out of six in this series.

I'd promise that it wouldn't happen again, but since I'm getting my material from another site and not just making it up out of my own head, the same thing could happen again tomorrow or any time, sometimes (like today) without me even realizing it happened in the first place until it's too late. All I can do is apologize each time it happens and hope that what I write, as little as it is at times, is enough to keep this timeline interesting. The only thing I'm sure of is that the series is now tied at three games apiece.

Game 7 will be tomorrow night here at Shea Stadium, with first pitch shortly after 8:30 PM Eastern. Donnie Robinson will start for the Giants, while Sid Fernandez will get the call for the Mets.

Next: We look at Game 7.

Thoughts?

Unknown · Jul 22, 2019

If the Mets win game 7 and go to the World Series, Game 3 will be at Shea Stadium, which'll have...interesting ramifications for the Loma Prieta earthquake. Here's why: one reason why the death toll was so low (even though the quake occurred at rush hour) IOTL was because many people who would have been on the freeways of San Francisco that day left home early to watch the As-Giants in Game 3 of the World Series at Candlestick OTL; the Cypress Freeway in Oakland, for example, was known to have 195k vehicles on it per day, so the death toll could be 10 to 20 times higher than OTL if the Giants don't make the World Series ITTL (OTOH, the As being in the World Series would save some of those lives)...

Garrett Garlits · Jul 22, 2019

I'm staying away from the earthquake except to acknowledge it if I have to; while discussing what might have happened if the death toll was higher is certainly a legitimate question, I have no interest in exploring it in this timeline, and it would be way out of bounds anyway.

More to the subject of baseball, I would assume that Game 3 would be postponed even if the series was at Shea, both to allow ABC (the network covering the series in '89) to report the breaking news and to let the players check on their families back in the Bay Area, although many of them would presumably have brought their families with them if at all possible.

The interesting part comes after; if the series resumed on Wednesday, October 18 and went beyond five games, Game 6 would be scheduled to take place on October 21 or 22, depending on whether the travel day between games was kept or not. What does baseball do? The Oakland Coliseum won't be ready for at least five or six more days; the real-life series resumed on Friday, October 27. Do they send everyone back to Oakland and wait things out? Do the Mets get the home field advantage for Games 6 and 7, even if they allow the A's to bat last and agree to use the designated hitter? Or does Commissioner Fay Vincent either ask or order George Steinbrenner or another American League owner to open up their park so that Games 6 and 7 can be played under AL rules (that is, with the DH)?

For the record, I don't exactly know what I'll do just yet should the situation come up, other than postponing Game 3 for twenty-four hours as outlined above.

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